Description
Sweet Southern comfort meets indulgence in this Carrot Cake Honey Bun, blending classic dessert charm with innovative bakery magic. Warm spices and creamy glaze invite home bakers to craft a delightful treat that promises pure dessert satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients:
- 1 box carrot cake mix
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Filling and Topping Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the carrot cake mix, freshly grated carrots, vegetable oil, milk, eggs, and ground cinnamon. Blend until the batter becomes smooth and homogeneous, ensuring no dry pockets remain.
- Create a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture by thoroughly mixing brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a separate small bowl.
- Carefully spread half of the cake batter across the prepared pan, creating an even base layer. Generously sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture uniformly over the initial batter layer.
- Gently pour the remaining cake batter over the cinnamon-sugar layer, carefully spreading to completely cover the previous layer without disturbing the underlying sugar mixture.
- Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with no wet batter.
- While the cake is cooling, prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust liquid to achieve desired drizzling consistency.
- Drizzle the glaze over the slightly warm cake, allowing it to cascade down the sides naturally. Optional: Garnish with additional chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and visual appeal.
- Let the cake cool completely before slicing to ensure clean, neat servings of this decadent carrot cake honey bun dessert.
Notes
- Choose a high-quality carrot cake mix for the best flavor and texture, ensuring the base is moist and delicious.
- Add extra grated carrots for more natural sweetness and moisture, creating a more authentic homemade taste.
- Consider using Greek yogurt instead of milk to boost protein and create an even richer, creamier cake texture.
- Try alternative nuts like toasted almonds or pumpkin seeds for different flavor profiles and dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 335 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg